East Ayrshire Life

Well we had a few days of decent weather in June but no real summer prolonged weather and as I write this on the third we have had three days of wet windy weather, yesterday being more like Autumn than Summer.

It is my turn to have a boat out on the syndicate loch on Monday and that I am afraid will not happen as heavy rain and strong winds are forecast as a big weather feature builds up over the Atlantic that will hit us most of next week. But at least we got out for a walk today in between showers. There story of people on the West coast of Scotland being born with webbed feet may well be true after all.

3rd.

Some shots from today’s walk.

A fat baby waiting for mum to feed it.

Two fat babies ganging up on mum.

The bird experts are telling us not to feed our birds in feeders over the Summer to stop (mainly Finches) birds from catching the canker that is killing so many birds, spread through their saliva. So I am feeding a lot less each day and spreading it in different areas on the lawns and gardens daily to ensure that each area does not get feed accumilating in any one area and not repeating feeding in that spot for three to four days, hence lessening the risk.

The House Sparrows love this as it makes life easier to feed their young as illustrated above, we have had anything up to thirty Sparrows in the garden at any one time, but unfortunately that attracts the Crows, Magpie and Jackdaw into the garden and frightens away the smaller birds, though the big birds do get a feed we tend to scare them off after a while to feed the small ones and their babes.

Some attractive wildflowers on the walk, this is Lady’s Bedstraw.

Meadowsweet is everywhere and I was not aware of the Bee approaching the flower until I put it on the computer, an added bonus.

Purple Vetch also called Bird Vetch.

Red Clover and yes I did see this Bee on it before I took the shot.

Most of the Maple shrub in the garden is great shades of green except this one branch showing Autumn colours already.

A little self indulgence now, on our walk with rain clouds around us, insect life was prolific and this bought out three Swift. I have never been to really get any photos that were not a blur, even though these were taken from some distance and cropped down and are mainly silhouette’s I was fairly pleased with the result. Though I must admit these were the only three out of about twenty shots that were any good.

A gliding Swallow.

Wings up.

Wings down. This shows to me that their power comes from the fact that they use the maximum limitations of their wings to propel themselves. My equivalent is in a boat short use of the oars do not propel you as the full strokes do.

My life in the garden is now complete.

A newly purchased picnic bench to watch the fish in the pond while eating and a relaxing chair to sit , watch the fish, listen to the sound of the water flowing and fall asleep. Heaven.

5th.

Baby House Martins freshly fledged and being fed by parents while sitting on a security fence protecting a gas installation, when all around them are plenty of trees and not next to a main road, typical children.

7th.

Today we went into Ayr for our usual weekly shop , but was made aware that the park in the town centre where the war memorial stands had an exhibition to make people aware of soldiers of Ayr that died in the battle of the Somme in the First World War. I found it very moving and make no apologies about the photos I am bombarding you with. Each statue had a persons name and age on a board and a QR code that you could get more details on that person.

The symbol of that war was the Poppy as the fields they fought in were covered in blooming poppies. This display was stones laid on the war memorial and hand painted by school children and adults of poppies.

The labels attached to each statue.

I was unaware that so many dogs were used to carry medicines, ammunition, gun carriages, etc.

Plus of course horses for the heavier equipment.

Pigeons for sending messages.

I have taken loads more shots but most of them were ruined by the surrounding buildings and road signs around the square park, what particularly annoyed me was the scaffolding on the back of the park. As you are aware all the above shots and all of my shots are only cropped and that is the extent of my post processing. But some good shots were ruined by that scaffold that I went against all my principles and altered some images by just taking out the background of the shot to make a silhouette, something I have never done before, so see below.

Not brilliant and you will not see them again on here but detested the buildings distracting some emotional images.

8th.

Todays walk was actually on a bright, sunny warm day (at last) and that meant plenty of insects about, so I took advantage and snapped a few.

I bet this snail was a bit warm in it’s shell today.

Typical a dark patch behind the fly doesn’t make it pop out like it should.

Not sure what this plant is? It could be the wild carrot, but whatever it is the insects loved it, magnified the bottom shot and it has at least fourteen insects on the one head, incredible.

A young Rowan showing off in the bright sunlight.

10th.

By the time I had gone indoors , collected my camera I only just (literally)caught the tail end of this aircraft going into Prestwick airport. It was a Boing Globemaster 111 belonging to the United Arab Emirates Air Force. Prestwick is becoming a very important, stratigic airport for military aircraft travelling across the pond or going the other way to stop and refuel. A R.A.F. Poseidon took off over us this morning and we often get American military air craft coming in as well. All seven R.A.F. Airbus Voyager tanker aircraft are going to be based here for five months while their home base Brize Norton in Oxfordshire has repairs done to its runway, so hope to get some photos of them. The airfield is owned by the Scottish Government so they are making more money than usual with refuelling all these aircraft.

12th.

A parade of old(ish) trucks came through the village today on their annual charity run and of the forty odd trucks that a photographed here are just a few.

I called this blog “Living in Hope” and hope came through in the end it is now the sixteenth and since those shots on the eighth we have had wall to wall or dawn to dusk sunshine and meant to continue for another week. Loving it, though it does give me a few extra jobs ( watering the garden , painting window ledges outdoors etc.) it is so gorgeous to see things growing, in fact I am thinking of asking M&S if they want a contract for cucumbers. “Not just any cucumbers, organically grown MY cucumbers”.

As I said in the last blog the weather had been terrible every day of the fourteen of that blog. So today to start this blog off we have a lovely day, I wonder if that is the end of the rotten weather, I doubt it, this is the West Coast of Scotland.

15th.

The insects seem to know that this may be a short break in the weather so they are all out in force this morning, this Bee is being very optimistic if it thinks it will get much pollen out of this flower.

While the beautiful looking fly just absorbs the heat that has missed.

Trying to improve my ability to photograph yellow flowers in sunlight, struggled with this one.

Went for a walk and even the verge side grasses look great in the sun.

Another Red Damsel Fly by the river this time.

A Lily in the Scout Garden.

The view from our river walk across the peat moors to Bogton Loch and beyond.

16th.

Went for a drive up to Loch Doon, passing Craigengillan House (the Laird around us estate).

Plus a couple of images looking down on Loch Doon.

20th.

A common bird around the world the Female House Sparrow, but even still it has it’s beauty.

22nd

Gave my big lens (150-600) a long awaited outing (it is so heavy), and captured this lone tree way up on the top of the hill. But then used it for some closer shots by the river.

Glistening jewels on the water courtesy of the sunshine.

There is always one blade of grass ready to spoil your image.

23rd

A Pond Skater, one of five that have made their home on my new pond, so fast over the water and really active I thank this one for posing for a fraction of a second. Not sure where they are coming from but on the 26th (just three days later there are fourteen of them on the water, a sign of a healthy pond I read).

26th.

Had a morning at Colzean Castle just a gentle walk around on the hottest day recorded for this area since records began at twenty NINE Centigrade. Though keeping under the trees and in the shade as much as possible it felt fine. Of course plenty of photo opportunities.

Can you spot the bird of prey? I think it is a Hen Harrier, but way off on the distant moors on our way to the castle. It is slightly right and below centre and not bad considering I was miles away and only with a 70-300 lens.

The view across to Arran.

I wouldn’t say you are ugly-but.

Dust bath time.

“Can someone take my coat off please”.

This group of trees, with so many different shades and colours, really caught my eye.

Think with all that glass it may be hot in there today.

Just looked up into the top of an old Scots Pine and had to photograph it.

Just a few of the many shots I took of the flowers truly at their peak on a day like today.

This Rose was climbing right to the top of it’s supporting tree.

Grasses just glistened in the sun.

The avenue of trees on the way back to the car.

27th.

My first time ever in my life I have had a greenhouse, so pleased with how production is going so far.

My Cherry Tomątoes.

Mini Red Peppers not turned red yet.

This much Basil I could open a pesto shop.

Though only small at present my Cucumbers are my pride and joy.

Nearly the end of the month and yes the weather did improve for us three decent days of sunshine and high temperatures (29C or 84F), well for us anyway. Now back down to nearer the average so better than the first half.

Will finish this month a bit early as I am in the middle of decorating our lounge and do not see much chance to get out with the camera, if something does happen I can always add it to July’s blog.

I think with Global Warming the song title should now be “May is bustin out all over”, as I don’t think there is much left to bust out. Trees are in full leaf, most plants are in flower and all I can hope for is after two days of rain the sun will start to bust out soon.

1st

Just to show you what I am up against digging out my pond loads of stones big and small, a small seam of coal (we are in a coal mining past area) clay and some easy shale. The area that Im have broken up will be down to the same depth as in the middle, which is just over two feet deep. Should achieve that today.

Various days and the progression of “The Pond”.

Pond dug out, old carpet underlay placed on the soil to prevent stones puncturing the liner and the liner added. nearly filled it , but have left the last eight inches to allow me to make sure the pond will be level when finished and the least amount of black lining visable when completed. So here is what it looks like today.

The bottom end nearest the shot needs raising a fair bit, but overall really pleased with how it has gone so well. It took over thirty wheelbarrow loads of soil to dig it out and so glad I had somewhere to deposit it just twenty yards away so that section was easy, it has been a case of finding muscles I didn’t know at my age I had and at least I haven’t used my gym.

Next stage, grass put back on far side as I said the rock end is low compared with the rest so I will be putting some thinner slate down there, which will allow birds and critters to get to the water in the shallow end. Pump and filter coming at the weekend so weather permitting I can fit those, plus hopefully getting some marginal plants tomorrow. All go.

Addition of slate on the low lying section, plus a section of garden ready to take some Yellow Flag Iris, that was all neatly dug over until the birds decided to turn it over scattering the soil over the patio. Plus you can see the first two plants in the water.

Pump and filter have arrived but awaiting some extra cable to reach the external power point, which is frustrating as I thought I had the cable but it must have gone to the tip during our move.

9th.

Had plans worked out for today an early walk, mow the lawns before the forecast rain arrived (it has rained everyday this months so far). Managed a dry walk but the rain came while I was mowing, but got it finished.

The Starlings maybe common birds and often a pest and are particularly noisy at this time of year with babes, but you have to admit the colours in the feathers are amazing.

The Crow another pest though can be amusing seem to know when In put a bit of food out and sit on the fence waiting.

The Red Campion on our walk adds to a very dull day with rain clouds gathering.

Slugs are in their element in these damp dark abundant food days.

14th.

Filter box and pump both wired up and plugged in and for me doing the electrics, it is a miracle it actually all works. Pipe to pump needs shortening, filter box needs lowering to water level, enclosed cabling needs to be buried , but at least it is all coming together might need some more plants (don’t tell the wife) and need the turf to grow down to the water to cover the lining but after all the hard work I am pleased with the progress.

Adding to my pleasure the first Damsel Fly, it is a Large Red and was on the path next to the pond and actually landed on the rocks in the pond also. The first of many I hope.

We went for lunch in Ayr and decided to go for a walk in the sun along the promenade a few others had the same idea.

This is a cruise ship just anchored off the Port of Ayr and passengers were taken in the ships tenders to Ayr for the Rabbie Burns experience . The ship is called Le Champlain named after the “Father of New France “(Quebec), Samual Champlain. It was built in 2018 and run by the French company Ponant.

Well this first half of June has busted out, only in rain. Every single day so far it has rained and the last two days have been a real strong wind to go with it. Today was in fact a fairly pleasant morning with sunshine and cloud, but it is meant to rain after lunch. Let’s hope my next blog comes up with better weather.

Well let us see what the rest of the month will bring us, it appears the weather is going to get warmer over the Bank Holiday, but as usual the weather people may change their minds before the weekend gets here. But overnight we have had a fair amount of rain and it looks like putting drainage into the flooded area in the garden has paid off as we have no puddles or swampy grass. The wind has changed to a Westerly from a Northland Easterly so that is an improvement for the fishing when I eventually get out for a decent session.

A terrible grainy picture but taken a long way off and cropped down mainly to identify the bird as we had seen it out on our walk and every time we got near it flew off and eventually I saw it settle at the top of a tree and knew this would be the closest I would get to it. It was a Reed Bunting.

19th.

You may remember a couple of blogs back I quoted the old saying “don’t cast a clout till May is out”, referring to don’t take your coat off until the Hawthorn flower was in bloom. It appears we can now take our said coats off as here is the delicate little flower of the Hawthorn, though with the rain I will keep mine on.

Just to ruin that saying above, one hundred yards up the path this Hawthorn flower isn’t quiet out yet, so I was right to keep my coat on.

Just loved the way the water droplets shine like little diamonds on this plant.

Laburnam out in full bloom, though poisonous a striking colour. The surprising thing with this tree is that every single part of it is poisonous, roots, bark, wood, leaves, flowers and seed pods. Of these parts the seed pods contain the most poison

I love this wee plant it grows all along our riverside walk and for such a small plant is so colourful, it is called a Water Aven or a Billy Buttons.

The elusive and fast Wren, heard it, saw it, but would it stay still long enough for me to get a good shot of it, no way. This was the best I could do, right at the top of the image.

On the other hand the Blackbird was more accomadating, singing it’s heart out from on high.

23rd.

Built this Sparrow hotel before we left our old house in the hope of carrying on our tradition of increasing the House Sparrow population, three nest boxes in one block, just as they like it. So imagine my surprise while out digging the foundation of my new pond I saw movement out the corner of my eye. Grabbed my camera and sat a good distance away to capture the Sparrows building a nest.

But no, the Sparrows turned out to be a pair of Great Tits, not building a nest, but feeding BABES.

Insect in mouth watching me before entering.

Waited patiently for it’s mate to feed the wee ones and then enter.

Exit time.

Exit complete with poo sack in the beak.

24th.

Started to dig out my new pond, have worked it out if I do this much each day it should be completely dug out in 20 working days or so, hard work for an oldie. Not sure what the remaining depth of soil will be but I would say I have it half the depth I want it, if that will be possible. Ground conditions will determine where the shallow and deep sections will be, not me. This will be my third pond I have built and the last two properties were a lot easier than this one is, hence the pickaxe.

I told you May was a good month and we are just at the start of a week long heatwave, beautiful, hot sunny day today and finished of at sunset by these unusual clouds around them P.M.

25th.

Another beautiful day and went for a walk before the sun got to high.

What a surprise that one of the two horses in the field has a foal, must be fairly old and we had not seen it before. Note the old bull watching on in the background.

Did a bit more work on the pond building then it got to hot so out came the camera to capture the insects on the Scottish Cornflower.

Well I am glad to say the second half of May didn’t let me down, a whole week of lovely weather and only the last couple of days in the month have gone back to not very warm and the occasional shower, but due to my enthusiasm in getting a pond built no fishing Im afraid.

For a birthday treat we went for a walk, coffee and snack lunch to Dumfries House, one of King Charles’ Scottish residence which is also the headquarters of his King Foundation, where students can come on a residency and get qualifications in rural crafts. Vocational train in crafts such as stone masonry, carpentry, gardening etc. .

The gardens are free to walk around just five pounds car park, but if you live within a twenty mile radius of the house you can get a free permit for that also (mine pending). We have been before but it is so expansive there is always something new to see. As I took so many photos I thought I would just do an extra blog on the beauty of these gardens.

21st.

The hydrangers and azaleas are nearly going over but some spectacular colours.

The Chinese bridge over The Lugar Water is wonderful.

Here it is from the next bridge along on the circular route to the Walled Garden.

Some of the beautiful plants in the Walled Garden, do not expect me to know the names of them all, but I do know this last one is an Iris.

Plus this colourful row of Tulips and the inside of one of the dark ones.

Last from the walled garden showing the lay out of just part of it.

Giant Hogweed I think, an irritant if touched (I believe).

Young trees being planted everywhere.

Plus very mature trees, like this Giant Redwood well over a hundred foot high.

Hope you enjoyed the added bonus of seeing my birthday trip out and though forecast, it didn’t rain.

As you may have gathered, May is my favourite month of the year. Not because it is my birthday month, not really enjoying that as I am getting older and know it, no the fact that normally it always feels like Winter is at last behind us. The frost start to disappear, plants and nature seems to ground change at a rapid rate, fishing starts to improve (hopefully) and life feels more relaxed.

1st.

Bluebells have just appeared from nowhere and brighten our hedgerows and woods.

Conifers are sprouting away.

Our Maple has put on all this new growth in a week adding a bit more colour to the garden.

A massive hatch of Bibio (Hawthorn Flies) occurred in the Nature Reserve and that means I should be out fishing with a good sized black dry fly catching loads of Trout with my favourite fly.

2nd.

Just to emphasise yesterdays comments two more shots of plants on the move, the Ferns unfurling and beautiful bloom on the Willow (again).

This wonderful Warbler was chasing a mate before deciding to pose for me before resuming it’s courting.

3rd.

Above I showed a shot of a Bluebell, well this is the white version. Do you call it a Whitebell or a White Bluebell? Answers on a postcard please.

A Milkmaid.

Male Mallard.

4th.

It is so good to get out for a daily walk in the sunshine, though coats are still required as it is a brisk Northerly wind.

Just added these two to show when a shot of Mute Swans are a decent shot and when you have to guess what the subject is. These two are busy building a nest in a most in accessible place they could find.

10th.

Took the wife to show her my latest fishing loch today and thought we were in luck seeing an Osprey catching a fish. Turns out it was a Gull trying to retrieve a dead Trout from the water, this was a good one hundred and fifty yards away from us.

Not very clear as I didn’t have my big lens on but here it has the fish in its mouth.

Had to have its back turned towards me instead of a head shot, just my luck. But this is an attempt to take off with the fish. It didn’t succeed.

Flying off a bit disappointed I think.

One more circle of the fish realising it was just to big and off it went to pastures new.

13th.

Had to go over to Stirlingshire for a family funeral and stayed in a hotel on Loch Earn, Lochearnhead for the night before and this was the view from that hotel. In the second photo the Fishermans boat was going up and down the loch trolling for fish for hours, never saw him catch anything not even the hundreds of Rainbow Trout that escaped from the nearby fish farm , though I presume Salmon were their main prey.

The Anthony Gormly type statue was of interest while out for a ride along the loch and with the strong Northerly wind and atmospheric weather it was very bleak.

14th.

The funeral was in the village of Killin and to show how cold the day was there was fresh snow on Ben Lawers.

So much for my wonderful May, it has been the coldest windiest start to the month I have known, it better improve or this post may prove me wrong about my favourite month.

Not that I am wishing the days away, but, I do love May. Could be that the next two weeks brings a welcome change with frost free mornings and warmer days, since moving to Scotland May has always a good month but we will see, no harm in being optimistic.

19th.

A cold start but sun and an early walk to prepare us for the day a bit longer than our usual circular walk but a pleasure to be out and greeting other walkers that are a bit more cheery as the sun is out.

Started the walk along the estate road beside the Bogton Loch, not sure if you can see the white of the gulls on the water there must have been fifty or so bobbing along. Can you spot the two flying, one is a bit tricky as it seems attached to a sheep. My Mum always used to say “it must be rough at sea if the gulls are inland”, not true today mum.

The horses still have their winter coats on as the owners know it is cold at night and though the sun is shining it is certainly still a cold wind a blowing.

A Rove Beetle out in the sunshine for it’s walk across the road.

Cannot resist a Bullrush when out with the camera.

Looking across the nature reserve in front of our bungalow, the one to the left of the willow, tucked down below the fence is ours.

20th.

This mornings view heading towards Loch Doon, a single track road with passing places and some great scenery.

Going back to the photo two away of the reserve, we have noticed a white flower sprouting up all over it and as it was in the boggy area could not get close enough to see what it was. Armed with me wellies and camera I bravely went into the marsh to get a close up and record what it was.

A delicate flower much chewed by insects by the look of the petals and I will leave it until the end of the shots to tell you what it is.

As you can see it grows in large clumps.

Also it is throughout the meadow especially where it is particularly damp, and though the name is confusing as it is out in the open, it is a Wood Anemone. A plus for this plant is that it is the host plant for larvae of many butterflies such as the Painted Lady. It grows through underground rhizomes in deciduous woodland and (as is this case) damp meadows. So a welcome addition to the reserve.

I also took a shot of this willow in the meadow, which I am sure will be a good tree/shrub for insects and birds.

26th.

Out for a walk in the sunshine going on a quiet back road before entering the Scout Garden and heard the roar coming towards us and over thirty bikes came through had to capture a few. Perfect day to be out, very envious.

Walking by the river on the Scout Garden walk that I showed you the rubbish in a couple of blogs ago. Today the (due to no rain) the water was at it’s lowest we had ever witnessed and the clarity allowed to see the amount of rubbish on the river bed, again unbelievable.

Yes that is a Flymo grass cutter, thrown off the road bridge into the water??????

A tractor tyre and a car tyre.

Traffic bollard base.

This office chair was two hundred yards from the road , so someone was bothered enough to push it along the path before throwing it in????

The bike I have shown you before but uncovered by water and still looks in good nick.

Found another one.

THe garden chair fully exposed plus a long iron bar.

Finish on a positive note a Warbler of some description, singing it’s heart out on the other side of the river.

I must get onto the council or even the Scouts to see while the water is low if we can get this rubbish removed.

Same evening and at seven thirty it was still a gorgeous day, so decided to walk along the old railway single track line that plans are being drawn up to try and make it a walkway all the way into Ayr some eighteen miles away, no doubt I will never see that completed but a wonderful idea, my walk was a mere half mile but enjoyable.

This is part of the old line nearest our home.

Always need to find water somewhere on my walks, plus of course a lone tree to be included.

So good to see House Martins back from Africa,

27th

Because our garden backs onto the nature reserve which is part of a boggy flood plain our garden often gets some lying water which makes this particular area very soggy. So we got the experts in and they have dug two trenches, buried drainage pipes and connected it to the roof gutter downpipes , so hopefully draining the garden a bit. Did a real good, neat job and all done within a working day. Really impressed. Just need some rain to test it out, after all it is a Bank Holiday weekend so we are sure to get rain.

It is not until you go to different countries that you realise just how unique the Northern Europe climate is. Do not get me wrong I prefer it this way with four well defines seasons and not just more or less the same weather year round. Not that initially I enjoyed that change when we got home, going from twenty four/twenty six C everyday we were away and coming home to just two degrees and ice was hard, but it at least defined what season we are in.

11th.

Just to prove a point.

17th.

We both love Spring flowers so we consider ourselves very fortunate that the previous owners of our house did to. Following on from the Snowdrops we have literally hundreds of Daffodils, in various stages of development , which means we have a progress of flowers over a long period of flowering, a illustrated above.

18th.

One of my first jobs on the lawn before I mow it will be to try and rake some of the Moss out of the grass. Daily at the moment, normally just before lunch a pair of crows arrive on the front lawn and start to do the job for me. They just walk around the garden and pull the moss up (easier than grass I presume) and find grubs underneath. If they keep this up my lawn maybe moss free before I get the mower out, will save me a job, though Scottish lawns are always nearly all moss anyway.

21st.

Went for a walk through the Scout Garden again today, with it’s lovely stretch of water running through it, no Dipper today, to many people out for a walk in the spring sunshine , plus the water was low.

In fact not much wildlife at all, though plenty of frogs and toads around, the first was on the road so I put it way up the verge, while the second was on the footpath and very lively.

A cracking little stream that joins the main River Doon further along and it makes fort a enjoyable walk, but today I want to show you the other side of an water like this, which is more visible when the levels are this low.

Just going to highlight the rubbish that either comes from further upstream or is thrown in around the walk. Traffic cones are a common sight as they will float down until they get stuck somewhere.

Plastic bags who knows how far they have come or is it people just having a picnic and throwing them in?

Items like these have to be thrown into the water, a golf trolly, maybe an annoyed golfer that has had enough, a really good quality bike, maybe stolen and thrown in once the robbers have had their fun and the shopping trolly must be the most common thing thrown into the water.

Tin cans everywhere, my wife picks rubbish up from the roadside and people just throw there rubbish out of their cars or like this one out for a walk and just discard it. WHY?

Asking a neighbour, the water course is called The Muick pronounced muck, which at the moment sums it up.

Much rather finish on nature than rubbish, Catkins, Celandines, and Gorse all making the walk at least a bit more pleasant.

With this title I do not just mean the weather, because in Scotland we can still have unexpected changes as I hope to show below. But social life is moving on as well, though if you include fly fishing I suppose I am a bit anti-social as most often I am out on bank or boat by myself. Plus I have heard a new table tennis club is opening in the next village soon, so I will be out socialising.

5th.

Easter Weekend and Easter Sunday, a time of joy, , church services for the family, Easter eggs, a Bank Holiday Monday making it an extended weekend. So what did we get for weather ? Cold, Sleet , rain and as shown below the occasional hail storm. This taken through our dining room window while eating a wonderful Hot Cross Bun. Joy and sadness as you think of all the Easter egg hunts outdoors.

6th.

The weather has changed a bit, so out for a walk.

Part of our walk was watched by the king /queen of the neighbourhood the local black cat.

7th.

I have joined a syndicate fishery with just twenty eight members on this beautiful loch below, fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout. Two boats and a rota amongst the members on your day of having a boat, though if not in use you can use it. Bank fishing any day, anytime, lots of wildlife as it is really remote, so looking forward to that. Had a couple of hours in the afternoon so walked the bank (with my fishing rod of course), just to familiarise myself a bit. Strong wind but fishable but didn’t touch any fish, just a really pleasant place to be, as I hope to show you in the future. At least the sun came out.

Boat anchorage.

Middle part of the Loch.

The far end.

16th.

Still the weather is cold, wet and frosty in the mornings, today (though a cold wind) was warmer and no rain so went for a good long walk. It is wonderful that things are beginning to grow, both in the garden and in the wild.

We have a saying “Ne’er cast a clout till May is out”. Meaning do not take off your Winter clothing , or plant tender plants in your garden until May is out. Some confuse this with the meaning being the end of the month May, but in fact it referring to the blossom on the Hawthorn tree, which though very close to flowering, is not out up here. So we should not really have planted these plants in the garden just yet, but they seem to be surviving okay.

Various forms of Pussy Willow are looking beautiful.

Marsh Marigolds out on the water.

Tons of Blackthorn blossom about, many people will be hoping the frost doesn’t get it, as this is the blossom that produces Sloes to make Sloe Gin.

Fresh leaves appearing on all sorts of trees.

A early Buff Tailed Bumble Bee feeding on the Gorse.

It is ten thirty here in Santa Monica, just looked at the weather forecast for home (where it is six thirty at night) and the temperature is eight degrees, rain and a forty mile an hour wind. Where we have just been for a walk in twenty four degrees heat, no wind and not a cloud in the sky. Just what the body and mind needs this time of the year. Virtually over the jet lag so we can enjoy the days. Below are our early Sunday morning stroll shots before the rest of the family emerge from their Sunday morning lay in.

1st.

The shadows are long on the oldies.

Long steps down to the beach.

Butterfly on the beautiful plants.

The tall trees really do not offer much shade.

Cliffs, three lane highway, houses, beach , walkway along the beach and then the Ocean.

The straightness of the grid system of roads, no following the old horse and cart tracks of winding home roads.

2nd.

Just a few from this mornings early walk .

I just love these gnarled old trees with trunks that have a mind of their own.

These ground squirrels have no fear and just come out and eat, far too many of them.

You know me can never resist a fire appliance.

On our way to lunch in Malibu went up into the hills of the Palisades where all the fires were, some areas are starting to be rebuilt, but it is obviously going to take a long while.

5th.

Reminisced by going for walk around the Venice canals such a peaceful haven away from the beach .

One of the six legs on the canal.

No wonder I never saw any fish in the canal with the White Egrets and Cormorants, though good to see the Mallard making themselves at home on the boat.

Loved the curls on this flower.

A Paddle board with a difference.

What a lovely lady sitting in a great spot to read her book.

6th.

I don’t think there has a been an occasion that we have come to Santa Monica that we have not visited the Getty Museum. Every single time we see something new and that is just within the grounds and this time was no exception, in fact we both said this was by far the best visit we have had here a large part of that was also the meal in the restaurant which was wonderful.

The facia finish with this beautiful cream coloured stone makes it all look so clean.

Entered a similar one to this one in a NYCC competition a few years back and still love taking the shadows on the stairs.

A strange angle I know but just wanted to show the peace that is the Getty, compared with the outside world, the highway was so busying stretched for miles.

out across to the Pacific the bay where the Port of L.A. is and the shadow on the horizon is the island of Catalina.

The density that is L.A.

Then there are the gardens and art.

Every visit I photograph these islands in the pond covered in beautiful flowers and the main attraction of the gardens for me, though normally there are some beautiful ducks on the water today there were none.

Overall another four hours of enjoyment wandering that lovely place and so glad it was not affected by the devastating fires of last year in that area..

9th

Our final day in Santa Monica and we walked to the pier, a lovely warm day with a sea breeze cooling us down.

Pelicans look prehistoric and a bit ugly, but just look at the colours so I will say “ugly attractive”.

I think this is a Western Grebe, but I am sure Chuck will correct me if I am wrong.

This is a very friendly Willit, as I was photographing it close up I was thinking “Will it fly or stay”

Looking at the hills from the pier, the rocks in the foreground only appear at low tide and are covered in Cormorants.

A few in surfing and a few paddling, but a beautiful stretch of beach.

My son has two cats, sorry to say this is my favourite Pushkin.

On the last blog I stated we were over here for a special occasion and I can happily tell you that my son and daughter in law invited us over to witness the adoption of wonderful thirteen year old boy called David, who gave us such joy while we were there and to include him in our family, a truly incredible addition for us all.